BoSox...

Male 24 years old CHARLTON, MA

I've been slacking a little bit on the blogging over the past week.  A lot has actually been going on.  I just picked up yet another "to do" at work so my days have been extended by three hours so it's been a work-shower-sleep type of week.  The one thing I've been blessed with is the fact that I can listen to the games from work and recorded the All-Star game and Homerun Derby.  The All-Star game is exactly what I always hope it will be.  Long, emotional and triumphant.  If you think about it, it's what an All-Star game SHOULD be.  If you have the best of the best playing against and for each other at the same time, it better drag out for several extra innings.  I'm really happy for JD Drew.  Actually, STOKED is more like it.  A Sox player winning the MVP in the last year the house that Ruth built is standing.  I know this is all "old news" by now, I really don't care.  It was a great game even though Paps was undeservingly boo'd.  What else would you expect though?  The best closer in MLB who just so happens to wear a Sox uniform in Yankee "We hate everybody" Stadium.  Tito did a fantastic job managing that game.  He made sure that everybody got their "15 minutes" and some more time than others which is always to be expected.  The "Derby" was great.  We all know how "Ranger Ham" did.  Good for him, too bad he didn't win.  He still has a lot to carry with him for years to come.

So now onto the past two games.  Yesterday was a really good game for Country.  Even though he didn't walk away with the win, he still pitched a complete game which is feat in itself for the second half of the season.  Beckett gave up nine hits over eight innings, walking one and striking out six.  Reminds me of game one of the 2007 ALDS.  Tito and the pitching staff seem to be taking a different approach this time around.  Usually they're pretty reserved with the amount of time they'll leave a pitcher in the game unless they're looking like they're going to pitch a no-hitter.  Taking risks is what has built America and what has separated this team from the rest.  Good to see if you ask me.  On the other hand, some run support would've been great.  It seems as though our bats have hit another slump.  Let's make it short-lived if at all possible.  Beckett even said after the game last night that he felt like he had to battle it out a more than he did in said ALDS game.  He felt as though he didn't have the "great stuff" he had in the ALDS.   Anyway, back to the bats.  Youk managed to hit a two-run homer in second giving us an early 2-0 lead over the pesky Angels.  Guerrero started off the Angel's momentum with a solo shot in the seventh.   Torii Hunter followed with a hard single to left-center that slipped just under Lowrie's glove.  Then, as we all know, there was more bat to follow on the Angel's side to put them ahead 4-2.  They managed to hold onto that lead as our bats remained unproductive for the remainder of the game.  We stranded a bunch and struck out a few times.  I caught a temporary glimpse of the comeback kids in the eighth when we loaded up the bases.  Unable to capitalize off of that opportunity, the ninth came around.  The ninth and another '07 ALDS memory involving Manny and a monster game-winning homer.  Nope, not re-lived for us this time around.  He would pop-up to third to end the game.  One of the best parts of the game last night is that Youk hit HR number 17 which is a career high for him. 

Now onto Friday against the Angels.  "Control" is a word I use often when I'm talking about pitchers.  Buchholz just didn't seem to have much control at all on Friday.  Not to mention Manny's hideous defensive play in the sixth to turn a single into a triple.  That was just an ugly game on all levels.  It always starts with the pitching though.  To point out the obvious for a minute, an entire ball game is played around the pitcher.  Now that we have established that, Clay needs some work on control.  He had some issues in his return to the rotation but managed to work his way into somewhat of a groove.  A groove he was unable to find Friday night.  He was pounded for eight hits and eight runs (four earned) in 4 2/3 innings.  Even though his past two starts have been hideous, I still believe that he's just working out jitters.  Really, I do think that.  He will come around eventually.  Cora had an error just before that "Manny Monstrosity" as well.  I really don't think I need to dissect that game any further.  We all know it was one of the worst games we've ALL watched or listened to in a long time.  Everybody has them and I'm not going to hold that one against them. 

On a lighter note, the Large Father is making great progress.  He's doing great things while rehabbing in Pawtucket.  I know, I know, minor not major but he's still knocking them out of the park.  He blasted his third homer in just three games last night.  His past three games have been a real confidence booster for me as a fan.  I always get concerned when our line-up suffers a big hit like that.  I always worry that they'll never be the same again.  I don't really feel that way this time around.  I think Ortiz will be just fine if not better.  Hurting his wrist reminded me a lot of "Rookie of the Year".  The movie with that kid who broke his hand and was super-human like while it was healing.  I feel that same way right now when it comes to Papi.  Only I hope that when it's healed completely he doesn't loose "the touch". 

Wake will be taking the mound in a few hours.  We all know how great he's been and we also know what lack of run support does to him.  Let's pray that our bats will wake up tonight and give him what we gave him in his last showdown.  He'll be going up against Garland who is 8-6 on the season.  Garland was roughed up for seven runs on 10 hits in just 2 2/3 innings against the A's on July 11. He allowed 12 of the 21 batters he faced to reach base via hit or walk. Garland actually pitched well in his previous start as he allowed just one run in a complete-game win against the Blue Jays.  He has a weakness that we need to make the most of.

GO SOX!